This simple activity helps combat back pain

Recent research reveals that a simple and accessible physical activity could halve the recurrence of lower back pain. This discovery could transform the management of this common condition.


Lower back pain affects 84% of people during their lifetime, according to Health Insurance. These often recurrent pains can radiate to other parts of the body, affecting daily life, work, and sleep. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the negative impact of lower back pain on mobility and quality of life, in addition to being a source of stress.

The treatment for back pain advocates regular physical activity and good posture. A study published on June 19, 2024, in The Lancet explores simple and cost-effective ways to prevent the recurrence of lower back pain. Researchers followed more than 700 adults who had suffered from lower back pain, divided into two groups: one following a walking program supervised by a physiotherapist for six months, and the other with no intervention. The goal was to determine the benefits of walking on lower back pain.

The results show that patients who followed the walking program experienced longer periods without recurrences compared to the control group. Mark Hancock, one of the study's authors, explains that the intervention group had less pain limiting activity, with a median of 208 days without pain compared to 112 days for the control group. Thus, the risk of recurrent back pain was cut in half thanks to daily walking.

The recommended walking duration is 30 minutes, five times a week. Participants gradually reached this goal over six months. "It is not necessary to walk three to six miles (five to ten kilometers) a day to benefit from these advantages," notes Mark Hancock. Researchers have not precisely determined why walking is effective in preventing lower back pain. They hypothesize that it combines gentle movements, strengthening of spinal muscles, relaxation, stress relief, and the release of endorphins.

Walking is therefore an effective and inexpensive recommendation for those suffering from lower back pain. It is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, geographic location, or socio-economic status. Additionally, walking has other health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, bone density, weight, and mental health, Mark Hancock emphasizes.